Tampa Bay Regional Drought Index (May 8, 2008)

CLEARWATER (May 8, 2008)â€” Surface water availability and long-term regional drinking water storage conditions remained stable in the Tampa Bay region in April due to above normal rainfall. Rainfall enhanced flow conditions in the Hillsborough River minimizing City of Tampa water purchase from the Tampa Bay Water system.

As anticipated, a short-term change in surface water use protocol required withdrawal of water from the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir.

Regional water facts for April:

Rainfall averaged almost 7 inches in southern Hillsborough County to around 3.5 inches in southern Pasco county. Rainfall averaged between 0.5 to 5.5 inches above normal with major rainfall events occurring the first week of April.
Long-term rainfall deficits for the Hillsborough and Alafia River watersheds both declined over 5 inches to about 26 and 10 inches, respectively.
Flow in the Hillsborough River was about 73% above normal.
Alafia River flow was about 72% above normal in April (protocol changes precluded use of this source).
Regional water demand in April was about 252 million gallons per day (mgd), about 50 mgd lower than 2006 (a dry April). Lower water demand reflects reduced outdoor water use.
As of May 4, 2008, 6.71 billion gallons of water remain in the C.W. Bill Young Regional reservoir. About 1.45 billion gallons were withdrawn in April.

The La NiÃ±a pattern reached its peak in April and is breaking down. Above normal rainfall for the month of April occurred in the first week of the month; however, since that time the region has returned to its normal dry conditions. April is typically the driest month of the year. Seasonally high regional demands, driven by outdoor water use, up to 290 mgd were common in late April and continue in early May.

Tampa Bay Water continues in a Level II Water Shortage, and continues to request the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey and counties of Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco to reduce demand and increase enforcement of water restrictions. The entire 16-county Southwest Florida Water Management District area remains in a Level II Water Shortage.

For more information contact Dave Bracciano or Alison Adams at 727.796.2355.